Michigan committed with Devin Funchess at wide receiver

Posted by Kevin McGuire on August 4, 2014, 8:50 AM EST

One of the big questions for Michigan’s offense in 2014 might have been who will replace wide receiver Jeremy Gallon, who helped to rewrite the school record books last fall. With a little bit of a depth concern at the position, Michigan looked to all-Big Ten tight end Devin Funchess to move to a wide receiver position this spring, and he continues to see all of his practice time coming on the outside rather than the tight end position.

“Right now it’s 100 percent outside,” Funchess said Sunday, according to MLive.com. “I don’t know what they’re going to do during the season, how that’s going to work out, but right now, I’m just 100 percent outside.”

Funchess set a school record by a tight end with 748 receiving yards last fall. Together with Gallon, the two set a school record for most combined receiving yards in a single season, passing former Wolverines Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington. Moving Funchess to wide receiver is not as much of a reach as it may seem at first glance, because he does offer some veteran leadership at the key position. He also adds some size to the position that should be just as viable a target in the passing game as any for Michigan.

Michigan is hoping to get the most out of some younger receivers this season as well. Freddy Canteen was impressive in the spring and could be ready for some decent playing time in the fall. Redshirt sophomore Jehu Chesson appears to be the third likely starter for the Michigan receivers, with the rest of the roster jockeying for position on the depth chart for the fall. Dennis Norfleet figures to be capable of playing into the mix as a top reserve and potentially get some first team reps as well.

So who is the likely replacement at tight end? That appears to be in the hands of Jake Butt, a sophomore who finished the 2013 season third on the team in receiving with 235 yards and a pair of touchdowns.